OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary energy density in adults living in Sao Paulo and associated factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects were participants of ISA-Capital study, which was carried out with probabilistic sampling (n = 710 adults). Food consumption was assessed by R24h. Correlations with dietary constituents were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Associations with demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle data were investigated by multivariate regression models. RESULTS: The average energy density was 1.98 kcal/g (95% CI [1.94, 2.01]). It was positively correlated with energy, fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol, saturated fat, sucrose, trans fat and added sugar intake; and negatively correlated with fiber intake. Only age and smoking were associated with energy density. CONCLUSIONS: High values of energy density and the relationship determined with other nutritional constituents denote the poor quality of the diet in this population, which may be contributing to the rising rates of overweight. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):638-45
Nutrition assessment; nutrition survey; food habits; energy intake
